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Friday, June 19, 2015

Wizz Air eyes Niš base

Wizz to base single aircraft in Niš, airport officials claim

Low cost airline Wizz Air is interested in basing a single aircraft in Niš according to the airport’s Managing Director, Vladica Djurdjanović. The no frills carrier will inaugurate flights to the south-east Serbian city next Thursday from Malmo, which will be followed by flights from Basel a week later. “In order for them [Wizz Air] to boost services, certain conditions must be met, such as the construction of a hangar and someplace where they can accommodate their maintenance staff and aircraft, because Wizz Air wants to base one jet at Niš Airport”, Mr Djurdjanović said. He added, “Once they do so, it will result in at least three to four flights per day, seven days a week. That’s around 25 to 28 weekly flights”.

As of next week, Wizz Air will have three bases in the former Yugoslavia – Skopje, Belgrade and Tuzla – and will continue to maintain services to Ljubljana, Ohrid and Split as well. The new flights to Niš will mark the resumption of scheduled services from the airport for the first time in over a year and a half. “According to our information, booking numbers for these flights have been solid so far, keeping in mind that these are new services and it will take time for people to get accustomed to them”, the head of the airport said. He noted, “Booking numbers have been roughly the same as the ones Wizz Air had when they launched flights from Belgrade”. The airport has reduced its prices in an attempt to attract new carriers, charging just three euros for handling, landing and passenger services.

Wizz Air will operate flights to Niš on a year-long basis. Earlier this year, the head of Niš’s Tourism Organisation, Uroš Parlić, said he held high hopes the airline would open a base at the airport in 2016. Furthermore, he said the carrier is likely to launch flights from Memmingem next year as well. “This service was discussed from the very beginning and Germany has been identified as a market with strong potential”, Mr Parlić said at the time. Wizz Air’s Executive Vice President, John Stephenson, noted that even though the airline did not initially plan to introduce additional flights to the south-eastern Serbian city this year, flights from Germany could be considered towards the end of 2015. Niš Airport estimates that some 30.000 passengers will fly with Wizz Air from Malmo and Basel during the summer months.

77 comments:

This is a great news. The tickets sales goes very well apparently. I also heard that another low cost carieer has shown interesting of flying from Nis, hopefully it's Ryanair. Also it may be nice to refresh a bit the terminal building in near future!

Somebody is dreaming......A319 with LF of 100 pax equals a gross income of 300 euro......this is a loss making business from day one. You cannot run an airport on a gross income of 300 euro per flight.

I'm sorry, but your analysis is pretty short-sighted. The prices were lowered to this extreme in order to attract new customers. It's a simple "carrot-and -stick" methodology. Once the business starts to see more linear growth and gets more established with new flights, then the prices will naturally increase.

At this stage, Nis needs WizzAir more than WizzAir needs Nis. With growth of traffic, that assumption will shift the other way around, and will result in greater profits for the airport. However, to get to that point, a certain degree of financial sacrificing will need to be made, especially since there are more established WizzAir bases in the near vicinity.

Sorry to disappoint you Anon 10:12, in any normal business venture that would be one way of getting in to the market. But this is not a normal market, dreaming about increasing the cost to low-cost airlines is just a dream. A number of airports across Europe has had the same idea and they have all failed. The fact is that Nis need money for investments in aviation ground support equipment, the airport has no money whatsoever. The City of Nis has even less money.... And with all the already existing airports in the area I'm afraid that this is just a dead end even before it has started.

It's not just the airport. If every a/c brings in visitors that will spend 50-100-200 euros during their stay, that money goes into local economy, that goes into taxes, that goes into the budget - and the budget subsidizes the airport. Maybe some new business and jobs open if the airport starts doing well. So, no, actually airport itself doesn't have to be profitable, if the whole scheme works as it should.

Now, the trouble is this - is there tourist infrastructure in place that will make it possible for visitors to spend their money, be happy about it and revisit later? Are there going to be any visitors to Niš, or are these flights aimed only at ferrying the diaspora and local residents to Western and Northern Europe?

I think that the State will help with refurbishment of the airport and building of the hangar. I look at it like this - Air Serbia would like to be only carrier at BEG so they could rise their prices because they won't have any competition. Air Serbia will indirectly help "build" INI in order for low cost to move from BEG. Of course airprot of Belgrade won't agree to this because at first they would lose passingers and their reputation would take a hit...

Anon 10:59; you are right and the concept as you put it the same as a lot of cities use to justify the attraction of an airport. But in this case you give the answer to issue....I think that for Nis is just to late.

Anon 11:02: The State has no means to invest in yet another airport. IF that would happen and they would put money in Nis at the cost of BEG, it would end up with 2 bad airports instead of developing BEG into a first class hub for the region.

Since we're talking about Belgrade airport development, i thought i'd share with you a short review of my recent visit. I went out yesterday afternoon to pick-up a client coming on Alitalia at 16.25 i.e peak time. The flight was delayed however cause of the recent fire at FCO and landed eventually an hour late, in the midst of the rush-hour. Due to some other business, i started the road out from the blocs. As soon as entering the rotunda at Bloc 45, a several kilometres jam appeared (putting myself on the place of people having to use the 72 either for work or to get to the airport). All in all, we remained stuck in the jam for half an hour before it started moving, for only to stall completely again 5 min. later. It was not a question anymore of being late, but as i simply ran out of patience i veered to the side-road into the dirt and drove two kilometres over ground and rocks before finally arriving at the top of the jam where a bus and a car collided. That move easily saved me another half an hour. Anyway, such things can happen anywhere, you'd say. Further down the road, after the beautiful Embraer in Belavia colours half an hour earlier over the blocs, Wizz Air from Gothenburg passed overhead. One last stretch of the road to go - the best one - and you're at at airport. On the surface, everything seems to be running so well. I went to the employees parking as usual, yet it was completely full. I switched to the adjacent taxi/special permit one (which i have) where i almost started a fight. Full till the last place, taxis drivers were arguing it is only for them, with some ready to start a fight against their own colleagues who were saying i have the right to park. Not having time to loose on that, i went to park at SMATSA. Back to the terminals, departures were quite empty at that time of the day. However, at the arrivals it's another story. There were 4 flight arriving simultaneously (A321, A320, A319, A320) yet there was no place to stand, it looked like a zoo. Went to the new toilet at the arrival level, only to find hot-water in the faucets. The luggage for the Alitalia flight took between 30 and 40 minutes to arrive. Each passing passenger with a cart would make the space seem unbearable. Passengers were leaving in small, derelict completely packed miniature A1 minibuses where they'll have to stand for a 30 to 60 minutes ride. On more positive note, the Telekom Serbia Wi-Fi seems to be finally up and running. All that rises a series of question:

- Is it a rail-link to the city the equal of a Babylon tower to be built by the Serbian government?- Parking space for employees outrunning - anyone paying attention?- Can the Terminal 1 start receiving some load of the flights as well and does it features luggage belts? Especially at some times of the day, it is clear that T2 can't cope.

Back to the topic, Fly from Nis blog outlined on Dec 24, 2014 that 5 year investment needed for Nis airport is 20MEUR. How much profit (not revenue) will INI airport make in five years, including ancillary sources?

Vueling flies to BEG 2 or 3 times weekly not 4 or 5 times. If BEG gets Vueling for only 3-4 months per year and cannot sustain full year flights ( that is what people claim on here) so how on earth can INI accomplish what BEG cant? If Wizz does open a base I see 7-9 "gajsto routes" total or routes where there is a sizable Serbian community.My guess would be in addition to Basel and Malmo: Memmingem, Dortmund, Stockholm Skatsva, Paris Beauvais, Frankfurt Hahn, and Eindhoven.

Since we're talking about Belgrade airport development, i thought i'd share with you a short review of my recent visit. I went out yesterday afternoon to pick-up a client coming on Alitlia at 16.25 i.e peak time. The flight was delayed however cause of the recent fire at FCO and landed eventually an hour late, in the midst of the rush-hour. Due to some other business, i started the road out from the blocs. As soon as entering the rotunda at Bloc 45, a several kilometers jam appeared (putting myself on the place of people having to use the 72 either for work or to get to the airport). All in all, we remained stuck in the jam for half an hour before it started moving, for only to stall completely again 5 min. later. It was not a question anymore of being late, but as i simply ran out of patience i veered to the side-road into the dirt and drove two kilometers over ground and rocks before finally arriving at the top of the jam where a bus and a car collided. That move easily saved me another half an hour. Anyway, such things can happen anywhere, you'd say. Further down the road, after the beautiful Embraer in Belavia coulours half an hour earlier over the blocs, Wizz Air from Gothenburg passed overhead. One last strech of the road to go - the best one - and you're at at airport. On the surface, everything seems to be running so well. I went to the employees parking as usual, yet it was completely full. I switched to the adjacent taxi/special permit one (which i have) where i almost started a fight. Full till the last place, taxis drivers were arguing it is only for them, with some ready to start a fight against their own colleagues who were saying i have the right to park. Not having time to loose on that, i went to park at SMATSA. Back to the terminals, departures were quite empty at that time of the day. However, at the arrivals it's another story. There were 4 flight arriving simultaneously (A321, A320, A319, A320) yet there was no place to stand, it looked like a zoo. Went to the new toilet at the arrival level, only to find hot-water in the faucets. The luggage for the Alitalia flight took between 30 and 40 minutes to arrive. Each passing passenger with a cart would make the space seem unbearable. Passengers were leaving in small, derelict completely packed miniature A1 minibuses where they'll have to stand for a 30 to 60 minutes ride. On more positive note, the Telekom Serbia Wi-Fi seems to be finally up and running. All that rises a series of question:

- Is it a rail-link to the city the equal of a Babylon tower to be built by the Serbian government?- Parking space for employees outrunning - anyone paying attention?- Can the Terminal 1 start receiving some load of the flights as well and does it features luggage belts? Especially at some times of the day, it is clear that T2 can't cope.

Parking garage has special rates, valid for 24/7 parking for airport/airline employees. I guess somewhere around 55 euros/month. There is ample space there, plus it protects the car from the elements.

Now, as for the using the T1 for incoming pax - yes, there used to be three belts there, but as the whole area is now closed off, I am not exactly sure whether they house offices there or grow mushrooms (seriously, they've been doing that during the 90s). This section is behind the right hand wall when you walk in the corridor connecting T1 and T2.

Airside wise, it used to accessed via stairs that are also closed off, between Business Club and future JU lounge (near A5). The trouble is, this used to house domestic arrivals back in the days of Yugoslavia. While there are belts, there are no passport control booths or customs offices, and I am really not sure whether there is place to put them. Maybe if they remove one of the belts. But that would make the corridor I mentioned just another zoo, it's cramped as it is.

There is a very simple solution for arrivals - it requires limited funds and a bit of creativity and good will.Airport could organize flow of the passengers leaving baggage claiming area in a flattened reversed "S" shape. It would require removing the "kiosk block" where Hudson News or Alpha Bank used to be, move customs exit next to the rent-a-cars, install long "L" shaped rail all the way to the current exit from the customs. I saw something like this at Vancouver airport. It creates an easy flow of people, distributes them more evenly through the whole area and makes a lot of space for "spoting the relatives" and "name-table" holding. As icing on the cake, I would add a camera filming the exit from the customs with live feed to few screens - one or two in cafe and two outside in smoking area (also, it would be highly beneficiary to repair the second door and brighten up exterior a bit).My paint visualization of it: https://goo.gl/photos/GNVp41Un16nmn2tw7

ILS to be installed next year is waay too late. Winter season will be full of diversions/ cancellations for the very high weather minima of the non-precison approach currently available. Even a loudish cloud base will mean no aircraft can land.As for the base: no airline in their right mind would make a base on an airport without ILS. See what happened with Wizz and Warsaw Modlin. Flights started in the summer, everyone was happy. Modlin promised the ILS to be installed by the autumn. Not happened. Mass diversions started in October when the fog season started. By december: bye-bye Modlin. Btw the same might happen to Tuzla as well.

whats really going on with Adria Airways?Yesterday I was flying to MUC and Czech Airlnies was flying istead of AA, also I have seen Trade Air 9a-BTE on apron in LJU. They have shortage of fleet or something else?

Mr Djurdjanovic is sound like tractor manager.WIZZ has 2 a/c in BEG without hangar, even in BUD, his main base they doesnt have HGR, they use from time to time Lufthansa Technik hangar.Most probebely thing is that commision for him is big enough to start this project

Time for fake news again! This section is for fun only, believe at your own peril:

- New departing border crossing at BEG T1 will open on Saturday June 20- A319 YU-APB (now with WiFi) will start flying next week- Air Serbia will reveal new airplane type named Dejan Stankovic on Monday Jun 22 in Milan, Italy.

Just a reminder, so far Air Serbia gave name only to first plane of the type to join fleet:

Well if you think about it, ASL already has both ATR 72-200 and 500 models so I highly doubt they would classify 600 model as "new type". Same goes for A321 since it belongs to the A320 family. I actually would not be surprised if its a Embraer 170 or 190 and that is my first guess since ASL needs those aircraft badly to routes such as Prague, Warsaw, Milan, etc.

as for A330, it would be odd if they acquire the plane during this time (high season started). At the same time why would somebody (AZ in this case) return a 5 year old plane to the lessor during the peak of the season?

Aleksandar you could be right and that is also one of the possibilities, but then again why would they go to Milan to do that? One thing for sure is that the article is misleading and could practically mean anything.

Perhaps I am just a bit salty from when Alitalia announced a big release of their new livery at Milan. I felt like they made a lot of noise and excitement for what turned out to be a small update on their existing livery, not a brand new livery (in my opinion).

But I would really like to see a new fleet of 70-100 seat jets in JU colors to:-Replace A319s on poorly performing routes-Launch thin routes-Increase frequency on well performing routes

lol what dreamers. They are just announcing that an existing fleet member is getting the name Dejan Stankovic. Stankovic lives in Milan, it's Serbia day at the expo and the PM is visiting (which is normal because a lot of heads of state have visited their pavilions). Might I add that our pavilion at the expo is absolute shit, having had the chance to see it. They went for the cheapest basic version and didn't even bother to do anything inside, they just put some writing on the wall and table where they make food and that's it. I was really ashamed when I saw it. Compare it to 2010 and the pavilion in Shanghai when Serbia's pavilion was without doubt one of the best there, unqiue and content inside was great, there was a huge amount of visitors (google serbia pavilion 2010 and then 2015).

But its amazing out of the fact that they are naming a plane (a project which has massively failed btw) you have already deducted they are introducing the A330, US flights, new regional aircraft etc.

How is adding ONE regional jet dreaming? As what you anon 9:28 said it is mostly likely them naming an existing aircraft or the new ATR which arrived a month ago, but adding a additional ATR or even Embraer 170 is unlikely but possible. Of course adding a A330 does not make sense at all during this time of the year and is very unlikely (next to impossible)

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